Equadorian Rose

[geotography]

I was the recipient of this rose today. Here is the set up and Exif: soft window light just before sunset, f/8, ISO 100, 10" shutter, cloudy white balance setting, 100mm f.2.8 macro lens.

I have nothing against this shot...but I do have questions (below the image) because I want to start macro shooting on the right foot. I have read a few things about macro but I seem to be getting some mixed messages on the topic.

1. What is the rule of thumb for aperature settings for macro.
2. I am thinking that this is not a true macro type shot but rather a closeup; Do you agree or disagree?
3. This may be like question # 1 asked differently; It seems that even with a medium aperature setting, there is alot of DOF blur. I want more of the image focused and so it stands to reason that I can achieve that with a smaller aperature; say in the medium range? I am not articulating this very well but I suppose I want to understand the fundamentals of macro shooting (particularly depth of field) before I try to get creative.
4. Do you think I should have squirted this rose a few times with a squirt bottle?? Thats probably a dumb question isn't it?

Thanks,

P.S.: I have sent an email to Saralonde requesting my thread be moved to where I had originally intended: Macro Critique.

[Zaahir]

Lovely shot,

As I said in another post, you should play around with aperature settings until you get your desired effect. So as far as I know there is no rule to shooting macro, but this kinda shot can be done with any lens as it is basically a closeup, try the water drops n macroing in on them, you'll get the lovely colors of the rose as a back drop.

Happy snapping.

[geotography]

Thank you Zaahir for your comments.

[RussHeath]

Geo -- Congrats again on the lens. I struggled with many of the same questions when I first started using my macro lens, so I'll try to answer some of them.

1) If there is a "rule of thumb" for aperture with macro shots its that the closer you get, the less DOF you get for a given aperture. So you get to very small apertures very quickly in an effort to keep more of your subject in focus. People that shoot a lot of macro fight this by getting lots of light into the picture (some camera makers manufacture flashes that attach to the end of the lens to blast the subject with light). If you are indoors, as you were, then you don't have to contend with a breeze blowing your subject around so you can just use a long exposure. A good bright worklight next to your subject also works wonders. Getting the aperture too small (f/number too big) can lead to diffraction issues which sacrafices sharpness. The cutoff for this is different for each lens, but if you're approaching your maximum aperture then it's likely to be an issue. In your picture f/8 seems a very good choice. If you were to get closer to the rose, you would probably need to make it a higher number, as you would rapidly loose DOF.

2) True macro is defined as a 1:1 reproduction ratio, so I agree this is more of a closeup (semantics). Only true macro lenses go to 1:1, and they only do so at their closest focus distance. So if you are further away from the subject than your closest focus distance, then you're probably not at 1:1. To get bigger than 1:1, you need to modify your lens somehow with either a set of extention tubes (the best method in my opinion) or another lens in front of yours, like a "macro" filter that screws on.

3) Blur can be good. I posted a thread about Bokeh a long time ago, it may answer some of your questions here. As I said above, the closer you are, the less DOF you get for a given aperture.

4) Squirt the rose. Water is beautiful up close.

As to the overall shot, it's a beautiful rose, well captured. The quality of the window light is soft and works very well. I think the greenery and background is distracting and would have been tempted to clip it off (maybe not appropriate for a newly gifted rose on Valentine's Day) or put something behind the rose like a piece of solid colored paper.

I hope we get to see lots more soon!

[geotography]

RH,

As always I appreciate your generosity in critique and your helpful experience. I have pasted your comments into my study notes for macro shots and will be referring to them often. Your comments along with the Scott Kelby's instruction for macro shooting should get me off to a good start. Though I was having difficulty asking my questions, you tuned in precisely to the issue that was frustrating to me; that being keeping more of the subject in focus when you are close. I tried a few more with smaller aperatures, actually before I read your reply; and I can see how the sharpness can diminish.

Thanks Much RH...Talk Soon,

Geo

EXIF: f/22, 15", ISO 100


EXIF: f/32, 8", ISO 100

[RussHeath]

Geo -- You're very welcome. Glad to help.

The two new shots demonstrate a quick jump up the learning curve for macro already. Nice!

The first in particular demonstrates a lot of what I love about macro. You can tell what the original subject is, but it's presented in a way that gives you a new perspective. At once I think, "wow" and "what a beautiful rose." And the water drops are great. Keep 'em coming.

[geotography]

Thanks RH. It feels like I'm starting in the right place now. There are plenty of subjects in our world with which to practice.